Throughout Wang Lung’s life, he evolves dramatically in response to the many challenges he faces. In particular, his wealth, idea of women, and the earth itself change Wang Lung’s attitude and point of view as he rises in the social classes of China.
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Wang Lung feels that he has to do something to prevent his family from dying. He’s angry... (full context) ...and she never cries, but only stares out of a hollow face. In normal circumstances, Wang Lung would have ignored her, but now he dotes on her, calling her a “poor fool.”... (full context)
...the family is looking to sell land just outside the city wall. This entirely convinces Wang Lung of the family’s fallen fortunes, since land is the most important thing. Suddenly he decides... (full context) The new piece of land changes Wang Lung ’s life. When he first buys it, he almost regrets his purchase, wishing he could... (full context)
Wang Lung is usually alone except for Pear Blossom and his eldest daughter. He worries about Pear... (full context) As the years pass, Wang Lung sits in the sun like his father did. Sometimes he visits Lotus, who sits talking... (full context) Wang Lung lives peacefully, thinking often about his land, but not worrying about planting or harvests.
When Wang Lung sees how beautiful they are, he’s very proud. His father wants Wang Lung ’s uncle to... (full context) ...visit each other. O-lan dresses the baby in his fancy new clothes, and she and Wang Lung also dress well.
The problem is that as he gets older, Wang Lung goes back to the land less and less often. Eventually, things get out of control, and nothing he does can fix it. His only saving grace is that when he gets old he reverts back to his youth and returns to the farm.
Terms in this set (132) His life is changing for he is getting married. He won't have to do usual tasks or take care of his father, rather the wife will.
Wang Lung is the main character of The Good Earth. He's a hardworking, honest man who hates conflict and aspires to better himself and his family.
His religion is based on worshipping the earth deity, for whom he burns incense before the wedding feast. This offering indicates Wang Lung's recognition that the land is more powerful than he is. Because of this recognition, Wang Lung is frugal, hardworking, and modest.
What change occurred in Wang Lung in the seventh year of his prosperity? He saw O-Lan as ugly and he lost his feelings for her.
What big step did Wang Lung decide to take in chapter 8 regarding land? Wang Lung decided to buy more land that was twice as large as the first piece of land he bought.
What is the difference between how Wang Lung thinks and how the other men around him think? Wang Lung just wants to go back to his land, but the men want money to buy food, jewels, and nicer things.
Who is Wang Lung? Wang Lung is a prideful, poor farmer, who lives with his father and takes care of him. What do we learn about Wang Lung as we see him making preperations for his wedding day? He is very nervous and he is very easy to trick.
O-Lan, LotusWang LungOccupationFarmerSpousesO-Lan, LotusNationalityChinese3 more rows
Wang Lung's first daughter does not talk or do those things normal for a child her age, and Wang Lung realizes she is retarded. He is relieved that he never sold her, because she would have been killed once her owners learned of her disability.
This novel centers around the land more than anything, as indicated by the title. Wang Lung feels deeply connected to the earth, and it symbolizes life in all its forms as Wang Lung's life literally depends on it.
Wang Lung participates in the looting and comes away with a stash of gold coins. He is thrilled, because the gold will provide him with the means to return home.
The The Good Earth quotes below are all either spoken by Wang Lung or refer to Wang Lung. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one: ).
The timeline below shows where the character Wang Lung appears in The Good Earth. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
It was only after Wang Lung realized that he could get back to the land without selling his daughter that he realized the importance of this man's money. Wang Lung tells the fat man, in a voice that is uncharacteristically cruel, to give him the money, and he takes handfuls of gold coins from him as he does so.
As soon as the first year's drought ends, Wang Lung sells some of his meager crop rather than saving it for the next year's price hike. He believes the earth remains the most precious thing in his life. Even though his family is starving, Wang Lung does not lose sight of how valuable the earth is to him.
This change is depicted most clearly in Buck, the main character Wang Lung. During his first visit to the Hwang House (when he asked for O-lan's aid) and his second visit at the New Year's Festival (when he brought O-lan and the child to visit), Wang Lung transforms into a proud, wealthy person.
O-lan's opinion ays of their marriage? The reason behind Wang Lung's se to wealth and influence? In addition to hard work and a careful management of his money, O-lan is resourceful and a frugal wife. Wang Lunch cannot refuse his uncle's demands.
Throughout The Good Earth, Wang Lung plays an important role. Hardworking, honest, and dedicated to his family, he is neither conflict-phobic nor arrogant.
During his first visit to the Hwang House (when he asked for O-lan's aid) and his second visit at the New Year's Festival (when he brought O-lan and the child to visit), Wang Lung transforms into a proud, wealthy person. It is only he who travels alone to bring O-lan into his life.
In return for Wang Lung buying opium for his uncle and uncle's wife, his uncle and his wife accept it eagerly. proposes renting the old great house of the Hwang family and allowing Wang Lung's uncle's family to occupy the current residence.